Gentle Shepherd Blog

Our team at Gentle Shepherd Hospice wants you to have the practical information you need to make the most of every day. Check out these helpful articles and devotionals written by Kim Eckenroth our co-founder and VP of patient care.

Preventing a second heart attack

Preventing a second heart attack

Recovery from a heart attack takes time. First there are the physical and emotional reactions to deal with. A big part of recovery, however, is embracing lifestyle changes to keep the heart as healthy as possible and prevent a recurrence. It takes dedication to change...

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Time to switch Part D plans?

Time to switch Part D plans?

During Medicare's Open Enrollment period, October 15 to December 7, anyone with a Medicare drug plan, also known as "Part D," can change their plan. That makes it a good time to double check your loved one's coverage, even if they've been satisfied. Plans change every...

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Digital assistants and older adults

Digital assistants and older adults

Imagine if your aging loved one could make a call, get medication reminders, or check the weather without lifting a finger. Maybe even chat with a device that responds to them. Today's digital assistant devices make all this possible, giving your family member more...

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How to report symptoms to the doctor

How to report symptoms to the doctor

All healing begins with an accurate diagnosis, yet errors are common. So common that most of us are likely to experience at least one diagnostic error in our lifetime. How we describe symptoms to the doctor can go a long way in helping them make an accurate diagnosis....

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Packing a “go bag”

Packing a “go bag”

Whether it's fire, flood, or something else, natural disasters happen everywhere. Make sure your loved one is prepared. Given that age or disease has likely eliminated their ability to move quickly, it's all the more important to help in advance. Even if you live...

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Reducing the risk of falls

Reducing the risk of falls

Each year, one out of four older adults will experience a fall, making falls the leading cause of injury for elders. The most severe consequences include injuries that can be life changing: a traumatic brain injury or broken hip. These can lead to the need to move to...

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Finding time to grandparent

Finding time to grandparent

When you're caring for your aging parent or spouse, you might be at a loss for how you can fit in grandparenting too. You might feel grief, jealousy, and even guilt that you're not getting to be the grandparent you imagined. Don't give up. Grandchild relationships are...

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Talking to your parents about money

Talking to your parents about money

In some families, money equals love. In others, it's a measure of success. It's often a sensitive subject, yet it should be discussed. Part of supporting your aging loved one involves understanding their thinking about money. After all, something could happen where...

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The powers and limits of HIPAA

The powers and limits of HIPAA

At the doctor or dentist, you have likely signed a HIPAA form "for your protection." The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act restricts access to personal health information. This includes your medical conditions, test results, payment details,...

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What is shingles?

What is shingles?

You might think of shingles as "just a rash." While that may be true for many younger people, the viral infection can have serious consequences for older adults. And given that the risk of developing shingles increases with age, it's something you want to help your...

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The long goodbye of anticipatory grief

The long goodbye of anticipatory grief

While caring for an older loved one, perhaps you've been surprised to feel waves of sadness, a tightness in your chest, or sudden tears. You are grieving. It's your heart's way of beginning to let go, even while your beloved is still here. And no, you're not jumping...

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